Burglar-alarm.



No. 858,925. PATENTED JULY 2, 1907. C. VAN BBRGH. BURGLAR ALARM.

APPLIGATION FILED Dmzz, 1906.

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BReLAR-ALARM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2, 1907.

Application filed December 22, 1906. Serial No. 349,072.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARLOS VAN BERGH, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, and a resident of Winnipeg, in the Province of Manitoba,Dominion of Canada, have invented a new and Improved Burglar-Alarm, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improvements in burglar alarm systems,and more particularly to means whereby adjacent windows or otherentrance openings 1 may be protected and the entrance of a burglarindicated by the ringing of a bell or the operation of any othersuitable signal.

More particularly, the invention relates to a screen formed of dependentmetallic conductors freely suspended closely adjacent each other, and soconnected that the alarm will be set off by the bringing of any twoadjacent conductors in contact with each other, or by the cutting awayor removal of the conductors. The conductors are arranged at such adistance and so disposed that it is impossible for a person to passthrough the window or door without either brushing the conductors aside,whereby they are brought into contact with each other or cutting awaysaid conductors.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby theconductors may be readily removed when the necessity for their use nolonger exists, but whereby any attempt on the part of a burglar toremove the `device when in place will result in the starting of thealarm.

rhe invention consists in certain features of construction andcombination of parts, all of which will be fully set forth hereinafterand particularly pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures, in which Figure l is a sideelevation of my improved device, showing a portion thereof inlongitudinal section and showing the circuit diagrammatically; Fig. 2 isa transverse section on the line 2 2 of Fig. l; and Fig. 3 is atransversesection on the line 8 3 of Fig. l.

My improved burglar alarm is adapted to be attached adjacent the upperedge of any window or door, or adjacent the upper side of any otherentrance opening, and is provided with a plurality of dependentconductors l0 freely suspended in front of the window, door, or otheropening. "hese conductors are preferably in i the form of small chainsor wires, although they may be of any other suitable material adapted toconduct a current of electricity. For supporting these conductors andcontrolling the circuit, I provide two metal brackets ll, each having abranch or arm l2, whereby the bracket may be rigidly secured to thecasing of the window or door. These brackets are each provided with asocket 18, and extending into the two sockets of the opposite bracketsand supported thereby is a metal tube I4 provided with perforations l5through which extend the conductors IO. The ends of the tube 14preferably extend but short distance into the sockets 13, and anysuitable means may be provided for preventing the accidentaldisplacement of the tube from the sockets* As shown, a metal block 1G isfitted within each end of the tube I4, and a suitable screw I7 passesthrough the wall of the socket, the wall of the tube, and into each ofthe blocks 16.

Extending through the tube 'I4 and concentric therewith, I provide ametal rod I8 supported adjacent its ends by insulating packings l)within openings in the blocks IG. The rod 18 is thus insulated from thetube I4, and means are provided for connecting the tube and the rod tothe opposite poles of a battery. As the tube is in direct contact withthe bracket ll, this bracket is utilized as a portion of the conductorand is connected by a wire 20 to one pole of the battery 2l..

For connecting the rod 18 to the opposite pole I provide an insulatingring 22 screw-threaded into the end of the bracket ll and serving tosupport a metal tube 28 out of electrical contact with the bracket ll.This tube 23 supports a longitudinally movable member 24 having one endtting within the tube 23 and the other end preferably pointed andfitting within a socket within the rod I8. The member 24 is kept firmlyin contact with the end of the rod and also in electrical contact withthe tube 2S by means of a spring 25 within the interior of said tube.The tube 23 is connected by means of a wire 26 to a coil 27 of thecircuit closer and thence to the battery 2l.

Within the tube I4 and supported upon the rod 118, I

"provide a plurality of rings all insulated from each other; certain ofthe rings being in electrical contact with the rod 18 and the remainingrings being in electrical contact with the tube 14. The first mentionedrings, namely, those in contact with the rod 18, are preferably of theconstruction illustrated in Fig. 2 and comprise a body portion 28closely fitting the rod 18 and having its outer surface closely adjacentbut out of contact with the tube 14. Secured to the outer surface of thering 28 is a bracket 29 acting as a pivotal support for a curved plate30'lying intermediate the surface of the ring 28 and the surroundingtube ll. One end of the plate 30 is located directly above the openingl5 of the tube, and the conductor l0 is secured to and supported fromthe end of the plate andA passes freely through the opening withoutcontacting with the tube.

For counterbalaneing the weight of the conductor l0 and holding theplate in its proper position, I -provide a coil spring 3l fitting withina recess in the ring 28 and contacting with the inner surface of theplate 30. The size and tension of the spring is so regulated ybambooscreens now on the market.

that its outer pressure on one side of the plate exactly counteracts thedownward pull exerted by the chain 10 and the plate normally remains inthe position shown in Fig. 2. The remaining rings which are preferablyarranged alternately with the rings 2S, comprise body portions 32insulated from the rod 18 by packings 33-and in electrical contact withthe tube 14 by means of a coil spring 34 fitting within a recess in thering and contacting with the inner surface of the tube. These ringsserve to support conductors which extend through the openings 15 and outof contact with the tube. As these conductors are supported from therings 32 and the rings are in contact with the tube 14 by means of thespring 34, it is evident that it is iinmaterial whether or not theconductors contact with the tube 14 in passing through the openings, butby supporting the conductors in this manner it is impossible for aperson to tell from an inspection of the device and without dismantlingit, which of the conductors are connected to the positive pole of thebattery and which to the negative.

With the conductors supported as above described, and with eachconductor connected to a separate pole of the battery than are the twoadjacent conductors, it is evident that by bringing any two of theadjacent conductors in contact with each other, it will close a circuitfrom the battery 21 through the wire 20, bracket 11, tube 14, ring 32,conductors 10, ring 28, rod 18, member 24, tube 23, wire 26, and coil27. This energizes the coil and in attracting the armature 35 releasestlie switch v3G and closes the alarm circuit. This alarm circuit may beot any suitable character' and is represented merely conventionally ascomprising a battery 37, bell 38, switch 3G and suitable connectingwires. The alarm may be set ott not only by bringing two adjacentconductors in contact with each other', but also by pulling upon any oneof the conductors 1.0, which are connected to the plates 30. This willcompress the spring 31 and bring the ends of the plates in contact withthe tube 14 and close the circuit independent of the conductors.Likewise, the cutting off of any of these conductors will relieve theplate 30 of the weight and permit the spring 31 to press the oppositeend of the plate in contact with the inner snrface of the tube. Thecutting off or pulling upon the conductors connected to the rings 32will have no effect upon the system, but by supporting these conductorsin the manner described, it Vis impossible to determine which of theconductors may be disturbed with impunity, and airy attempt to ruin thedevice will thus be forced olf` The conductors 10 are preferably oflvery light construction and easily removed, and may take the form of anornamental screen somewhat resembling the The device is preferablysupported directly above the window, and the conductors 10 arranged soclosely together that it is impossible for a person to pass throughwithout brushing them aside. It is practically impossible to brush theconductors aside without bringing some two of them which are connectedto opposite poles, in contact with each other, and this -willimmediately set of the alarm. It is only necessary that the wiresleading from the battery 2l. be connected to one end of the tube 14 andthe `rod 18, but in order to prevent the interference with the system bythe cutting of these wires, I provide additional wires 39 and 40 leadingfrom the opposite end of the tube 14 and rod 18 to the battery eitherentirely independently of the first mentioned wires or joining saidwires adjacent the battery.

In order to prevent the entire removal of the tube 14 and itsconductors, I provide each of the brackets with an inwardly-directedflange 41 and each of the members 24 with an outwardly-directed flange42 closely adjacent thereto. As the member 24 is longitudinally movableand is normally pressed in the direction of the rod 1S, any removal ofthe rod would serve to permit the flanges 41 and 42 to come in Contactwith each other and close the circuit. 'llie screws 1S may, if desired,be omitted and the tube 14 and its conductors removed during the daytimeor when its use as a protection is no longer necessary. This may bereadily accomplished by moving the tube 14 longitudinally to the innerend of one of the sockets 13, whereupon the opposite end of the tubewill be freed from the opposite socket and may be readily movedlaterally ont of alinement with the bracket 1l to permit the removal ofthe first mentioned end from said socket. The tube 1.4 carries with itthe rod 1S and the condiictors and its removal brings the flanges 42 incontact with the flanges 41, but before removing the tube the circuitwould preferably be broken by means of any suitable form of switch 43.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. In :i burglar' alarm system, a plurality of freely suspendedsubstantially parallel independent conductors forming a curtain, :inalarm signal, and means whereby the bringing of certain of saidconductors in contact will operate said alarm signal.

2. In a burglar alarm system, a plurality of freely suspendedsubstantially parallel independent members forining :i curtain, :inalarm signaly and means whereby the increasing or decreasing o1 theweight of certain of said members will close an electric circuit tooperate the alarm.

In a burglar :ilarm system, an electric circuit including an alarmsignal, and a plurality of freely suspended substantially parallelindependent conductors forming :i curtain and adapted to close thecircuit to operate the alarm signal upon the contact of certain of saidconductors or an increase or decrease in the weight of certain of saidconductors.

4. In combination, a suitable support, a plurality oi' independentconductors freely suspended therefrom and serving as a curtain, asuitable source of electric energy, means for connecting certain of saidconductors to one pole of said source, means for connecting certain ofthe other conductors to the other pole of the source, and means wherebythe contact of any one of the iirst nientioned conductors with any oneof the last mentioned conductors will close a circuit and operate analarm signal.

5. In a burglar alarm system, a tube having a plurality 0i' perforationstherein, a suitable support within said tribe, electric conductorssuspended from said support and extending through the apertures in saidtribe, said tube serving to conceal the point of attachment of eachcondiictor and said conductors adapted to serve as a screen or curtain,an alarm signal, and means whereby said alarm signal is operated by thecontact of certain of said conductors.

G. In combination, a tube having a plurality of perfor-ations therein, asuitable support within said tube, conductors suspended from saidsupport and extending through the apertures in said tube, said tubeconcealing the points of attachment of the conductors; a suitable sourceof electrical energy, means for connecting one pole of said source tocertain of said conductors, and means for connecting the other pole ofsaid source to the remainingr conductors, one of said connecting meansincluding an alarm signal.

'7. In combination, a tube having a plurality of perforations therein, arod extending through said tube and insulated therefrom, a plurality ofconductors suspended from said tube and extending through saidperfor-ations, certain of said conductors being in electrical contactwith the tube and the remainder of said conductors being in electricalcontact with the rod, and an open electric circuit connected to said rodand said tube and inclwing a suitable source of electrical energy, andan alarm signal.

S. In combination, a tube, a rod extending therethrough and insulatedtherefrom, a member pivotally supported intermediate said tube and saidrod and in electrical con-- tact with said rod, a conductor suspendedfrom said member and adapted to normally hold the member out ot' contactwith the tube, and an open electric circuit including the tube` the rod,a suitable source of electrical energy, and an alarm signal.

f). In combination, a tube, a battery, means for connecting said tubewith one pole of said battery, a rod extending through said tube andconnected to the opp0 site pole of the battery, a member pivotallysupported intermediate said tube and said rod and in electrical contactwith said rod, a spring normally pressing one end of said member towardsaid tube, and means Suspended from the opposite end of the member forpulling the last mentioned end toward the said tube the spring and thesuspended means being so proportioned as to balance each other, wherebyan increase or decrease in theweight of the depending means will bringthe member into contact with the tube and close the circuit.

10. In combination, a tube having a plurality of perforations therein, abattery, means flor connecting said tube with one pole of said battery,a rod extending through said tube, means connecting said rod t0 theother pole of the battery, a plurality ot' plates pivotally supportedintermediate the tube and the rod and normally in contact with but oneof the same, and a plurality of de pending members extending throughsaid perforations and suspended from said plates, each of said dependingmem bers serving to hold one et the plates in its normal position,whereby the position of any of said plates may be varied to close acircuit upon Athe variation in the weight ol the corresponding dependingmember.

11. In combination, a tube having a plurality of pertforations therein,a rod extending through said tube and insulated therefrom, a pluralityof rings mounted on said tube, means for insulating each .ring from thenext adjacent ring, a plurality of conductors suspended from said ringsand extending through the perforations in the tube, a battery, means forconnecting thc tube to one pole of the battery, and means for connectingthe rod to the other pole of the battery, one of said connecting meansincluding an alarm signal.

12. In combination, two supports having sockets therein. a tube ttingwithin said sockets, a rod extending through said tube and insulatedfrom said supports and said tube, a plurality of depending conductors inelectrical contact with said tube, a plurality oi depending conductorsin electrical contact with said rod, a battery, means for connectingsaid tube to one pole oi the battery, means for connecting said rod tothe other pole of the battery, one of said connecting means including analarm signal, and means within each of said sockets for closing theelectric circuit upon removal of the rod.

13. ln combination, a plurality of supports having sockets therein. arod supported within said sockets but insulated therefrom, alongitudinally movable springpressed member within each socket incontact with said rod, an electric circuit including the supports, andthe member, and means whereby the removal of the rod from the socketspermits the member to contact with the supports to close the circuit.

1-i. In combination, a plurality ot supports, each liaving u sockettherein, a tube provided with a plurality of perfoi-ations and supportedwithin said sockets, a rod extendA ing through said tube and insulated'from the supports and tube, a plurality of conductors supported fromsaid rod and extending through said perforations, a battery, a springpressed member within each support and in engagement with the end of therod, coacting ilanges carried by said support and said member andnormally out o contact with each other, means for connecting one poleoi' said battery to each support, and means for connecting said memberwith the opposite pole of the battery, whereby a longitudinal movementol the rod within the sockets permits the contact ot' the coactingilanges and the closing of the circuit.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speciiication in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

CARLOS VAN BERGI-I.

Witnesses JNO. M. RITTER, CLAIR W. FAIRBANK.

